Tag: #Ephesians3:20

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Heart Filled

A heart of faith-filled promises produces a heart full of gratitude (Ep 3:17). 

As God reveals His ways and purposes to us in the transition of His promises we’ve held in our hearts, we can expect Him to awaken us to a deeper gratitude of His how, what and why. 

I believe many will be astounded as He surprises us with His revealed mysteries of how He will fulfill His promises to us. Herein lies the treasure of deep gratitude.

Luke 8:10 TPT reminds us that we “have been given a teachable heart to perceive the secret, hidden mysteries of God’s kingdom realm.”

As our souls are impacted by His methods, we must keep giving every opposition to Him—all heaviness of fear, loss and false responsibility. As we submit to His ways and delight in Him, our souls will awaken to more of His rich, abiding love (Ep 3:18).

We can come into agreement with His truth of Psalm 119:24 TPT, which says, “Your commandments are my counselors; your Word is my light and delight!”

Recently, I saw “Light is might” in a Word-vision. The sense I had in my spirit was that God is bringing about life-changing lift as His light of promise is fulfilled in ways that only He can (Ep 3:16). And His mighty ways will not fit into anyone’s box (Ep 3:20). 

Our strength in the midst of transition is the focused mind of Christ, our willing obedience and the joyful delight of His high purpose in His outpouring of greater goodness. Oh, to know Him more in the breakthroughs!

2 Peter 1:3 TLB says, “For as you know him better, he will give you, through his great power, everything you need for living a truly good life: he even shares his own glory and his own goodness with us!”

Isaiah 26:3 TLB says, “He will keep in perfect peace all those who trust in him, whose thoughts turn often to the Lord!”

So, our declaration can be “My heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory! Even my body will rest confident and secure” (Ps 16:9 TPT).

We must receive God’s perspective and hold to His truth as His best for us, even if it means letting go of former things. When we do this, we can receive His new things to operate in His greater abundance forward. 

One of the beauties of John 10:10 is that He leads the ones He made stable into another level of abundant life. 

Right now, God is extending invitations to us daily to come closer to Him and go deeper with Him to receive the revelation understanding we need to remain solid in the transition.

Proverbs 25:3 TPT reminds us that “The heart of a king is full of understanding, like the heavens are high and the ocean is deep.”

We know that we do not walk alone in deep places and that He is with us and will reveal Himself to us. It can also help to know that others will be transitioning too and that many on the side of where we’re heading have an anointing to pray us through. 

So, we can ask God to order our steps to receive through them. But our best, most fitting counsel will come directly from Holy Spirit to us. Because, when it comes directly from Him, we don’t have to strain to understand and we tend not to doubt. 

His revelations are lightbulb moments that surpass our own thinking. He makes our testimonies unique as He brings us into more of what’s new to us. 

As we seek Him and find Him in the midst, He’ll be there to lift our heads and hearts to see and know as He does. He will help us continue to follow Him with childlike faith that accesses miracles of new life along our Divine destinies. 

Much will happen as He shifts our perspectives to see His workings His way—both old and new. Our knowledge of things past will ascend to a higher viewpoint to cause us to be open to the changes He’ll bring in our lives. What we thought we knew before, we will now begin to see as Divinely purposed. And it will make sense to us.

Proverbs 23:15 TPT says, “My beloved child, when your heart is full of wisdom, my heart is full of gladness.” 

And isn’t this what we desire most? To please Him. To honor Him. To remain steadfast and make wise decisions that reflect His Heavenly nature on the earth.

Pray with me if you will . . . 

Dear Lord, 

Thank You for the light of life You’ve given me and for restoring my appreciation of the journey. Help me to continue to fight “an excellent fight” and keep “my heart full of faith” (2 Tim 4:7 TPT). Help me to continue to receive Your truth that produces freedom and deep gratitude toward You for who You are and what You’re doing in my life. May “my heart and soul explode with joy—full of glory” (Ps 16:9 TPT)! Thank You for helping me live in Your abundance.

To You, Lord, be all glory, honor and praise. 

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

This devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Buds, Blossoms & Dead Leaves

My eyes devoured the beauty of the fall trees on the Blue Ridge Parkway. Orange, red, yellow, and purple swathed the mountainside in a palette of color.

As I looked over the valley between the mountains, the wind blew leaves in front of my face. I captured one and admired its brilliant hue. I saw firsthand that the life-giving source in the branches ceased after nature’s purpose had been accomplished. The season’s clock told the forest to make room for new spring growth.

Form a New Image

Just like in this reflective moment, wrong beliefs can latch onto us like a dry leaf. Our emotions and lives can even gather dead leaves. Habits and mindsets that are familiar to us can cause us to place our security in them. But new growth cannot begin until the old is detached and discarded. Just like the tree that stopped nourishing its many old leaves, we need to let go of all that does not align with God.

Limiting God’s influence in our lives will hinder us from following His will and experiencing victory over obstacles. Living in doubt regarding the abilities the Father has given us can paralyze us. But when we are willing to grow, we can bloom and not produce dead leaves; because expansion brings new opportunities.

God’s Word instructs us in Isaiah 54:2-3a TPT that “Increase is coming, so enlarge your tent and add extensions to your dwelling. Hold nothing back! Make the tent ropes long and the pegs stronger. You will increase and spread out in every direction.”

So, to grow and develop new opportunities, we need to release leaves of doubt and insecurity. Transforming old ways of thinking to God’s way places us on the path to enlarging our boundaries and removing limitations. Then, we will experience a new bloom of life.

Remove the Limits

On the contrary, Psalm 78:41 TPT refers to the Israelites wandering in the wilderness. It says, “Again and again they limited God, preventing him from blessing them. Continually they turned back from him and provoked the Holy One of Israel!”

The Lord didn’t want them to stay in the desert for forty years, but their inability to believe Him for bigger and better things stopped their progress.

Ephesians 3:20 AMPC reveals that God is for us by saying, “Now to Him Who, by (in consequence of) the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”

So, God’s power lives within us, but it’s up to us to allow that power to work and develop in and through us by faith and obedience. His plan doesn’t automatically happen simply because He desires it.

Likewise, in Matthew 13:58, we learn that Jesus did many miracles and healed the sick, lame, demon-possessed and lunatic. But unbelieving people limited what Jesus could do for them. His ability was always there, but the ones He ministered to had to reach out and accept what He offered. If they didn’t get healed or delivered, it wasn’t His fault.

Change Involves Risk

It can be hard to take steps that feel risky, but without exercising this level of faith, everything stays the same. Because growth requires transition.

In 1 Chronicles 4:9-10 NKJV, we read about the story of Jabez. It says:

Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name, Jabez saying, “Because I bore him in pain.” And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, “Oh, that you would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that your hand would be with me, and that you would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!” So God granted him what he requested.

We see here that Jabez asked Jehovah to help him escape the legacy of his name, which means “sorrow-maker” (AMPC version) and “to grieve” (Strong’s #3258). Jabez didn’t succumb to the label bestowed upon him at birth. Instead, he sought to rise above it, so God could birth new life through him. Dissatisfaction with his familiar environment urged Jabez to seek advancement.

Jabez faced what felt like risk by voicing his request. Leaving his family and home may have been a requirement to escape the limitations placed on him by his family. Still, he was willing to move forward and ask God to give him new territory and not cause pain to anyone, including himself (1 Ch 4:10 AMPC).

This doesn’t mean we all have to leave home for the Lord to accomplish something in our lives. But cutting ties with people who pull us down removes the atmosphere of peer pressure tied to outgrown identities and performance. While surrounding ourselves with wise mentors separates us from limited understanding and pushes us forward to unseen heights.

When we allow labels from others’ words to stick to us throughout our lives, those impressions can affect what we think and how we act. When this happens, we are agreeing with the label instead of agreeing with what the Bible says. Jabez escaped the name placed upon him at birth, because he didn’t submit to its meaning.

God is so good, and He wants us to live an unlimited life aligned with Him. There is no end to His knowledge, goodness, love, mercy, creativeness, and wisdom. Our Father has placed gifts into each of us, but without stepping out and allowing Him the freedom to work, these talents will remain dormant, and the circle of influence we have will be hindered.

Friends, when we expand our minds, stretch out our stakes, and lengthen our cords, we will grow a bouquet of buds and blossoms and will not gather dead leaves and sticks.

God invites us to leave the ungodly familiar behind and answer the call to reach beyond ourselves toward a new pathway of living.

Pray with me if you will…

Heavenly Father,

Show me those things in my life that have no purpose for me any longer. Help me to receive Your wisdom to know how to expand my horizons, enlarge my tent, and stretch out my stakes. Help me to not put limits on what You want to do in my life.

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

Amen.

To God be the glory.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

Barbara Latta is a true southerner and is transplanted from Arkansas to Georgia. She writes a monthly column in her local newspaper, contributes to devotional websites and has stories in several anthologies. She is the author of God’s Maps, Stories of Inspiration and Direction for Motorcycle Riders. She loves traveling with her Harley-riding prince on his motorcycle, taking in the creativity of nature. Drinking coffee on the patio while the sun comes up is her favorite time of day. Her desire is to share how the grace of God overcomes all obstacles and writes as a Titus 2 woman on her blog at www.barbaralatta.blogspot.com. She loves being a mom to two grown sons and Mimi to one granddaughter.

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Revelation Light

“God is pure light” (1 Jn 1:5).

The Spirit of Revelation, which is The Holy Spirit (Ep 1:17).

This Spirit of Revelation lives in us and is “the illuminator of men” (Vine’s). 

The revealing of Himself and His will to us as “The Light of Truth,” which sets us free (Jn 1:9). 

John 1:4 TPT tells us that “His light is life for all humanity.” 

Luke 2:32 TPT tells us He is “the Revelation Light for all people everywhere!”

Psalm 119:130 CSB tells us that “The revelation of your words brings light and gives understanding to the inexperienced.”

Revelation is “the illuminating power of the Scriptures; and of the judgments and commandments of God” to guide us (Vine’s; Ps 119:105, Is 51:4).

God’s heart and mind, even His face is revealed to us when He releases revelation to us as His “children of light.” (1 Jn 1:2, Lk 16:8). 

So, revelation comes through divine intervention, an encounter with God (Lk 4:4 TPT).

Revelation “designates God’s own self-disclosure or manifesting of himself, or things concerning himself and the world; the word itself, oral or written…by inner, immediate illumination of…hearts and minds by God…God is always the initiator and author of revelation” (Tyndale Bible Dictionary).

In Galatians 1:12 TPT Paul says, “No one taught me this revelation, for it was given to me directly by the unveiling of Jesus the Anointed One.”

Revelation is the great communication mode by which “something is presented to the mind directly” (Vine’s). It by-passes human reason, thinking and ability to position us as a receiver and a doer, according to God’s will for victorious living.

Revelation guides us into God’s best as “the will of God for the conduct of His children” (Vine’s).

God’s treasure of revelation enables us to have a closer walk with Jesus, applying wisdom to where we’ve been and where He’s bringing us. He gifts us with new knowledge and insight—removing past burdens with divine understanding, as well as the burden to try to figure the present out on our own—while strengthening us for the journey ahead. In this way, God frees us so we can continue on, guided by His heart of love as revealed truth.

Revelation light is also God’s strategic weapon against forces of darkness. The Spirit of Revelation uncovers darkness, brings truth to light and knowledge to wisdom as He wills.

Luke 12:2 AMPC tells us that “Nothing is [so closely] covered up that it will not be revealed, or hidden that it will not be known.”

We need only to see as God sees. 

In this supernatural way of seeing and understanding, revelation can be a secret weapon to help keep us on top of the enemy and advance us (Da 2:22, Ps 139:12). 

Especially as He makes us trusted gatekeepers (Ps 24:7), drenched in His mercy and doing relationship like 1 John 1:7 TPT, which offers us a strategy that says, “…if we keep living in the pure light that surrounds him, we share unbroken fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, continually cleanses us from all sin.”

Revelation brings peace, even in the midst of chaos, because His Presence is powerful light that extinguishes darkness. Even in our minds, God can settle our wonderings about issues that try to loom through releasing revelation-understanding to us. In this way, He helps us walk in His clarity and powerful peace (Ps 55:22, 1 Pe 5:7). 

Paul tells us in Philippians 3:14-15 TPT that he ran “straight for the divine invitation of reaching the heavenly goal and gaining the victory-prize through the anointing of Jesus. So, let all who are fully mature have this same passion, and if anyone is not yet gripped by these desires, God will reveal it to them.”

Paul knew that revelation, as a spark of light, ignites us for victory and sets us in motion, aligned with God’s will and faithfully headed forward with Him and toward Him simultaneously.

God’s gracious gift of revelation also encourages us with clues along His timeline for us.

At will, God can reveal glimpses of our future to us: moments of experience and divine assignments in advance to set our minds on a right course and ready us (Ep 3:20).

At “the cross, Jesus supremely revealed God’s self-giving love” (Hayford Bible Handbook).

“God’s disclosure of Himself to mankind, including His nature, His moral standards, and His plan of salvation” is divine revelation (Hayford Bible Handbook).

Jesus as the mystery hidden and the secret kept can be received and experienced (Ro 16:25). He desires to share Himself and His mysteries with you for your own welfare and that of your family, your work and your nation. 

Do you know Him like this?

In Proverbs 1:23 TPT God asks us, “Don’t you know that I’m ready to pour out my spirit of wisdom upon you and bring to you the revelation of my words that will make your heart wise?”

1 John 1:9 TPT says that “…if we freely admit our sins when his light uncovers them, he will be faithful to forgive us every time…”

So, are you ready to come into more of His light and receive divine insight? 

If so, pray this prayer with me:

Lord Jesus,

I praise Your Holy Name. I desire to receive Your revelations. I repent of my sins and invite You into my heart as Lord and Savior. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and release Your revelations to me. Bring me into Your marvelous light and drench me in your mercy (1 Pe 2:9-10). Enable me to receive revelations of Your secrets for Your glory.

Amen. 

And now, “I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelation to know him through your deepening intimacy with him” (Ep 1:17 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name.

To God be the glory.

Amen.

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, which includes iBelieve.com.

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Legend or Legacy – Part 2

Jesus is our hope of glory. Our source for glorious living. 

He made a way for our true heritage, which means our freedom and citizenship of His covenant promise (Ep 2:12).

Colossians 1:27 TPT assures us that “Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!”

Recently, during quiet time with The Lord, I believe He revealed to me that, in addition to bringing prodigals home, He is also bringing His people closer to Him through high levels of global influence. He is also miraculously restoring businesses and land ownership (De 28:11).

Beyond the Covid-19 situation.

With past, present and future at heart, I believe God is making a way for His beloved followers to receive far-reaching generational blessings, particularly in the area of family, property and business. 

Blessings that have been locked up and have even skipped a generation or more. Legacy blessings of recompense linked with family members who had to sell their homes against their heart’s desire. 

Divine blessings of business ownership through wells that have been re-dug. Some involving renewed partnerships that will bring new levels of financial restoration to their family bloodline.

Kinsman-redeemer assignments for those who can be trusted with God’s wealth to build His Kingdom.

I believe The Lord has revealed to me that these life-changing restorations will come into manifestation as He lifts our limitations, with some major shifts coming full circle in the Jubilee Year of 2025 (Ez 46:16-18).

Habakkuk 2:3 MSG says, “…This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie. If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time.”

Friends, it’s time to allow God to define our path and guide us into all truth (Jn 16:13).

It’s time to take the limits off, and let God re-set our boundaries to carefully and strategically position us to receive more of our legacy. 

Romans 12:2 TPT instructs us to “Stop imitating the ideals and opinions of the culture around you, but be inwardly transformed by the Holy Spirit through a total reformation of how you think. This will empower you to discern God’s will as you live a beautiful life, satisfying and perfect in his eyes.”

So, it’s time for false shields and fantasies (false legends) to go.

It’s time to overcome old mindsets and negative emotions that have held us back.

2 Corinthians 10:5 TPT tells us that “We can demolish every deceptive fantasy that opposes God and break through every arrogant attitude that is raised up in defiance of the true knowledge of God. We capture, like prisoners of war, every thought and insist that it bow in obedience to the Anointed One.”

Many have already been tried in tribulation and are ready to step into the accelerated soaring of God’s blessings. 

Doing it God’s way in His time.

Rest assured, where one door closes, another door to new life will open. 

God wills to honor His beloved followers, who honor Him, with manifest multiplicity. 

In serendipitous ways.

Isaiah 55:9 AMPC reminds us that “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.”

Friends, God has covenant blessings to release.

This is dream-come-true stuff.

I’ve-waited-a-long-time stuff.

Ephesians 3:20 AMPC tells us, “Now to Him Who, by…the [action of His] power that is at work within us, is able to [carry out His purpose and] do superabundantly, far over and above all that we [dare] ask or think [infinitely beyond our highest prayers, desires, thoughts, hopes, or dreams].”

Friends, God wills to fully-resource His Kingdom through those who have a Kingdom mindset: Mature followers who have received their worth as a child of God, and can, therefore, can be trusted with valuables to continue a Godly legacy personally and professionally.

We are to enter into our new divine assignments with humility, as an offering unto The Lord. 

Job 22:21 instructs us to “Submit to God and be at peace with Him; in this way prosperity will come to you.”

Commitment will be necessary. 

The Word will continue to be an energizing force in us who believe (1 Th 2:13). 

James 1:25 NKJV tells us, “But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.”

We must choose to trust God, and carry on in righteous living, which is by bold faith and obedience.

Philippians 4:19 AMPC reminds us that “…God will liberally supply (fill to the full) your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.”

Friends, it’s time to awaken, because it’s time to join our Lord at the banquet. 

So, pray with me if you will…

Dear Lord, 

You are my inheritance. You, Lord, are my portion. I repent of idolizing any false legend, and I renounce all cultural opinions and traditions that are against Your will and way for my life. Thank You for Your rich mercy. I choose to receive it and honor You over false treasures. Lord, please help me live as Your righteous heir, receiving Your first-rate provision, not second best. I choose to enter into Your callings and assignments as an offering to You. Help me to receive every blessing You have for me and nothing that’s not of You. 

Thank You, Lord that “You have heard my sweet resolutions to love and serve You, for I am your beloved. And You have given me an inheritance of rich treasures, which You give to all Your lovers” (Ps 61:5 TPT).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name, 

Amen. 

And now, I pray, Lord, that You will send a plentiful rain to restore and confirm Your heritage where it languished and was weary (Ps 68:9).

And I pray that You will unveil within us the unlimited riches of Your glory and favor until supernatural strength floods our innermost being with Your divine might and explosive power (Ep 3:16).

I pray that You will flood our hearts with light, so we can know and understand the hope to which You have called us, and how rich is Your glorious inheritance in us saints, who are Your set-apart ones (Ep 1:18).

In Jesus’ Mighty Name. 

Amen. 

This video-devo was graciously re-posted by the Salem Web Network, including i.Believe.com.